Liverpool may face ‘stiff’ competition to secure Jurgen Klopp replacement this summer – Paper Round

Roberto De Zerbi and Xabi Alonso are both candidates for big clubs should they need to appoint new coaches.

“Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi are the early front-runners for the Liverpool job. But sources in Germany claim Alonso will feature prominently on Bayern Munich’s list of candidates if they decide to replace Thomas Tuchel, who would be among Manchester United’s targets, along with De Zerbi, if Erik ten Hag is sacked.

“As Liverpool start the process of finding Klopp’s successor, prominent directors of football and agents believe the field will become crowded with doubts hanging over the futures of Ten Hag, Tuchel, England manager Gareth Southgate and Julian Nagelsmann, whose contract as head coach of Germany runs until the end of July.

“Mauricio Pochettino is currently in no danger of losing his Chelsea job, but failure to qualify for Europe could put him under pressure when his progress is reviewed at the end of the season.”

Burnley hope to fight off relegation by adding Montpellier central-defender Maxime Esteve in the current transfer window.

The 21-year-old defender is wanted by manager Vincent Kompany to improve his side’s awful defensive record.

“The Clarets have the second-worst defensive record in the Premier League and Vincent Kompany wants to strengthen his defensive options.

“Montpellier have already rejected a £9.7 million advance from Nottingham Forest for Esteve this January.

“Esteve, 21, has emerged as one of the brightest young defensive talents in France and has a plethora of suitors with Montpellier determined to keep hold of him until at least the end of the season.

“A 6ft 4in centre-back, Esteve’s current contract at the Stade de la Mosson has another two-and-a-half years left to run.”

Sevilla’s veteran midfielder Ivan Rakitic looks set to move to the Saudi Pro League, with The Athletic reporting the Croatian has said his farewells.

The Liga club are content to let him leave in order to trim their wage bill before Rakitic’s contract expires in the summer.

“Rakitic, 35, has been an ever-present for Sevilla since returning from Barcelona in 2020 for his second spell at the club and is currently the Spanish side’s vice-captain.

“Al Shabab are not one of the four Public Investment Fund (PIF) funded clubs in Saudi Arabia, but did sign Yannick Carrasco from Atletico Madrid last summer and previously signed Ever Banega from Sevilla in 2020.

“Rakitic is out of contract at Sevilla at the end of the current campaign and the club are willing to negotiate his early exit, allowing them to reduce their wage bill.”

Alex Pritchard is refusing to play for Sunderland, according to The Sun, as he is expected to force through a move to Birmingham City.

He wants to be reunited with his former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray, and secure a longer contract than his current team will offer.

“The popular playmaker, out of contract in the summer, is now expected to be reunited with former Mackem boss Tony Mowbray at Birmingham City.

“Pritchard, 30, wanted a new two-year contract with The Black Cats but was only offered one more season after this campaign.

“Pritchard has a longer offer abroad and could also get the same length from The Blues.

“The experienced star was happy to stay at Sunderland after getting back into the side but the one-year extension is less than he can get elsewhere.”